Laidley onto Tigers' shortlistRohan Connolly | August 8, 2009
DEAN Laidley's AFL coaching career could resume as soon as next year, with the former North Melbourne coach guaranteed a spot in Richmond's final round of interviews for its coaching position.
Laidley, who has just returned from a holiday to the US, will be one of the final three or four prospects from whom the Tigers' appoint their coach for 2010, bypassing the early stages of the interview process and various tests other candidates have undertaken. While reluctant yesterday to divulge too many details, Laidley yesterday confirmed to The Age he had met Richmond general manager of football Craig Cameron before his departure, and that he was very interested in the job.
Laidley and his family returned to Australia from their three-week holiday only on Wednesday morning, but he expects to meet Richmond officials early next week.
"I met with Craig before I went away, and we said we'd have another conversation when I got back, but that hasn't happened yet," Laidley told The Age.
Laidley, who has already been offered several other roles with AFL clubs, said the holiday had recharged his coaching batteries suitably, and that he was keen to become involved in AFL football again at the highest level as soon as possible.
"I've got a real passion to coach again, whether it be next year or the year after. I think I've got a lot to offer any football club," he said.
Richmond is still completing its first-round of interviews, yesterday speaking to West Coast assistant coach Peter Sumich and Brisbane Lions' assistant Adrian Fletcher.
The Tigers will move to the second phase of the process next week, of which Hawthorn assistant Damien Hardwick, caretaker coach Jade Rawlings, Essendon assistant Alan Richardson, Geelong assistant Ken Hinkley and Collingwood assistant Brad Scott will be part. But the revelation that Laidley has been given the opportunity to circumvent the initial stages and proceed straight to the final consideration for the job indicates Richmond's regard for his coaching talents.
Sources from the Tigers and Laidley's old club yesterday confirmed the short-circuiting of the interview process for the three-time North Melbourne finals coach, and that there was plenty of excitement at Punt Road about his prospects of turning a young and developing list into a successful combination.
Laidley, who returned to Melbourne this week after an overseas trip that he enjoyed after leaving his mobile phone at home, quit as Kangaroos coach after round 12. The former West Coast and North Melbourne player took up the coaching role at Arden Street in 2003 and took the Kangaroos to the finals in 2005, '07 and '08. The highlight was an unlikely preliminary final appearance in 2007, but the Kangaroos were beaten by Port Adelaide.
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